Rémy Cabella, the summer’s marquee buy from Montpellier, is not in New Zealand as he is still on an extended holiday following Brazil 2014. Hatem Ben Arfa – adored by fans but still not in the manager’s plans – was left behind by Pardew.

“It was an important win for us,” said Steven Taylor, who played in central defence. “We are looking forward to Manchester City [on the Premier League’s opening weekend] now.”

A St James’ Park tribute to Alder and Sweeney is being organised to coincide with the game at home to City on 17 August.

Meanwhile their midfielder Sylvain Marveaux has joined the French club Guingamp on a season-long loan deal.

The 28-year-old joined on a free transfer from Rennes during the summer of 2011 and has made 57 appearances.

However, only 11 of them came last season and he has fallen so far out of favour that he, like his fellow Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa, was not included in the senior squad which flew out to New Zealand.